And also a complete idiot...?

[WhatNowNorman]

Right this is long and painful... So 4 years ago DP and my business was in financial difficulty. He asked our landlords and friends (also business people in the same sector) if they'd consider investing. New biz insued as limited co and 49:51shares in their favour. Fast forward 2.5 years and DP no longer involved. (Massive fallout) and I'm still working as Managing Director. Company needs to grow to be viable so BPs invest to expand. I reduce my shareholding in view of their investment. Still working 45+ hours p/w no salary at all to run biz and support their other co's. Now this year our company finally has scope to make proper money but I am still not able to take a salary and they don't seem to have any intention of paying me for the work I do for their other companies that I don't have any formal interest in. I have to wait until our jointly owned business can afford my salary despite my working week being taken up at least 50% by other co's needs. My DP thinks they have no intention of ever letting me earn any money as every time I try to address it the response is "we bailed you out", "our agreement was P (DP) was supposed to work and because he left (they threw him out) we have had to pay someone to do his job so company hasn't made a profit", "No one is irreplaceable"....my friends think it's outrageous that they expect me to work for no salary but I feel like I have no choice. I've been part of this for so long and put so much in that I have to make it work. I have to keep going don't I... i can't walk away. I have to make it happen. Seriously starting to believe that I am a fool and there's no hope. Should I walk away. My main BP is so passive agressive. Just the thought of upsetting him makes me feel sick as I know the backlash I will get. He bullies me all the time and I can't stand up to him. It's a mess and I don't know what to do.

So you have a minority share in the business you supposedly owned in the beginning?

How much would you lose if you walk away? Why was your DP fired? No salary for 2.5 years is utter madness.

I'm sorry OP I don't have any business advice for you, but I didn't want to read and run. You don't sound very happy though and it doesn't sound as though the situation is likely to change any time soon. Could you feasibly get another job in a similar field that would pay the bills? I understand you not wanting to walk away from something you have invested so much time and energy into, but is it worth it? Is it worth your happiness and years of your life? The answer might be yes, in which case you should look into some assertiveness courses to deal with passive aggressive BP and feel more self assured. You might also feel more creative and motivated. But at least look into what else you could do, what options you have, then you can weigh your losses against the gains. You sound as though you feel trapped.... and life is way too short for that. Hoping you see light at the end of the tunnel soon x

Is there anything in writing that stops you resigning whilst keeping your shares or work free of charge for their other interests? Believe me when I say they are taking the piss!
Make a plan and get out now. You are a long time dead and life is far to short to base your life on maybes and perhaps.
You have put in work and desperately want to benefit. However, do you honestly think they will either recognise or reward you for this?
These investors hooked your business out of collapse which was great at the time but at what cost? At the cost of fear? of bullying? If working yourself into the ground?
What have you got to lose by saying "do you know what? I am done"?

Your husband did not choose to leave, they pushed him. Their choice. The contract (most likely) did not say you will prop up their staff shortfalls in their other interests. You have put in two and a half years without pay and they speak to you like shit.
There is no respect here and nothing from you will change that.
I understand and admire your ethic, after so much hard work and when there is light at the end of the tunnel, you don't want to walk away. You don't want to face up to a man who is going to pull every doubt you have about yourself and throw it back in your face with barbs on.
When faced with a situation like that, ask yourself what is the worst that could happen? Will you die? No. Will you leave them in the shit? Yes. Is he going to fight you? Absolutely. You have the upper hand here. You also have learned a lot in the process.
Work out what you want (financially as a payoff) and get out whilst you still have a shred of mental health left. This will always be a shadow in your life journey but there is sunshine round the corner. Walk towards it.

I would post on this forum to get advise.

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